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Veteran Rock Guitarist Dies

Mar 5, 2012  •  Post A Comment

A veteran rock ‘n’ roll guitar player who fronted a self-named band for much of his career has died, E! Online reports. Ronnie Montrose, best known as frontman for the group Montrose, was 64.

Montrose reportedly died Saturday of prostate cancer. On his website, ronniemontrose.com, the following message was posted:

“A few months ago, we held a surprise party for Ronnie Montrose’s 64th birthday. He gave an impromptu speech, and told us that after a long life, filled with joy and hardship, he didn’t take any of our love for granted.

“He passed today. He’d battled cancer, and staved off old age for long enough. And true to form, he chose his own exit the way he chose his own life. We miss him already, but we’re glad to have shared with him while we could.”

His band Montrose, which featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, was a prominent hard rock band in the 1970s, with signature songs including “Bad Motor Scooter,” “Rock Candy” and “Rock the Nation,” E! Online reports.

The story adds: “Montrose also appeared on Van Morrison’s ‘Tupelo Honey’ and ‘St. Dominic’s Preview’ albums and Edgar Winter Group’s ‘They Only Come Out at Night,’ as well as doing session work with Boz Scaggs, Herbie Hancock and more.

ronnie-montrose.jpgRonnie Montrose

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